Biodiversity, the variety of life found in a place on Earth or, often, the total variety of life on Earth. A common measure of this variety, called species richness, is the count of species in an area. Biodiversity encompasses the genetic variety within each species and the variety of ecosystems that species create.
Biodiversity refers to the variety of living species on Earth, including plants, animals, bacteria and fungi. While Earth’s biodiversity is so rich that many species have yet to be discovered, many species are being threatened with extinction due to human activities, putting the Earth’s magnificent biodiversity at risk.
Biodiversity An example of the biodiversity of fungi in a forest in North Saskatchewan (in this photo, there are also leaf lichens and mosses). Biodiversity is the variability of life on Earth. It can be measured on various levels, for example, genetic variability, species diversity, ecosystem diversity and phylogenetic diversity. [1]
Biodiversity is all the different kinds of life you’ll find in one area—the variety of animals, plants, fungi, and even microorganisms like bacteria.
Biodiversity enriches our lives, not just biologically, but emotionally and spiritually. How Scientists Measure Biodiversity Understanding biodiversity requires measurement, and scientists use various techniques and indices to do so. It’s not as simple as counting species. Species Richness is the number of different species in an area.
Explore what biodiversity is, why it matters, and how it's measured. Learn about species richness, ecosystem diversity, and the global importance of preserving life's variety.
A small, brown pika hides among rocks. JR Douglass, NPS Photo. Biological diversity (or biodiversity) is the variety of life on Earth. It includes all living things, not just the plants and animals that are common or easily seen. It includes species that are not well known, such as microorganisms or invertebrates. Biodiversity refers to life on land, in the water, in the air, in deserts and ...